Milestones

Although he struggled all throughout school, his teachers and parents weren’t sure what the issue was, so he was left to navigate it on his own.

He loved astronomy from a young age; when he was in high school, he planned on becoming an astronomy researcher and professor at a prestigious school.

From there his railroad track got “twisty”: when he was applying to colleges, he was rejected from most of his dream schools because of his test scores.

The only school that accepted him was MIT because they didn’t require standardized test scores.

Even then, he still didn’t know the root cause of his struggles; he knew he was bright, but he could barely navigate the Dewey Decimal System in the library.

It wasn’t until much later, when his daughter was diagnosed with dyslexia, that he started researching the condition and realized he had it as well.

Although he pursued astrophysics for some time, his research now focuses on using technology to solve or remedy learning issues.

He struggles with remembering names and incidents, but he’s used even this to his advantage—since he doesn’t remember his setbacks, he easily moves on from them.

Keep following my journey

Education

High School

BachelorPhysics, GeneralCUNY City College

DoctoratePhysics, GeneralCUNY City College

Career

Astrophysicist / Director

I investigate technological solutions to help people read more effectively.

Career Roadmap

My work combines:

My work combines:

Education

Science

Helping People

Day to Day

The focus of my research investigates how technology can foster the exchange of information between people and machines, given wide-ranging differences in the neurology of individuals (including dyslexia, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorders). I seek to re-engineer the technology we use for reading, to make this process more efficient and effective for all. I also occasionally give talks and develop online resources for students and teachers.

Skills & Qualities Beyond School

In whatever you do, there should be a level of self-advocacy. You should always be the catalyst for solving your own problem. Develop a support network, do research, do whatever it takes to figure out how you can help yourself.

Advice for Getting Started

Here's the first step for high school students

First, you have to figure out the thing(s) that you truly like and are passionate about. Then, you have to follow your bliss.

Hurdles

The Noise I Shed

From Society in General:

"You're dyslexic. "

Once I figured out that I was dyslexic, having the label gave me something to tell people, but it also negatively impacted how they viewed me. That label automatically gave them an idea of what I can and can't do, which might not be applicable to me. All people saw was the label and inhibited how they interacted with me. People are more than just specific labels and stereotypes. I had to work very hard to make people understand there was more to me than the label.

Challenges I Overcame

Learning Issues

Learning Issues

I struggled all throughout school and in many different areas of my life not knowing what my issue was. It wasn't until much later in life when my daughter was diagnosed with dyslexia that I realized that I had it too.